The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1887-02-17
SlLNEr POWER.
Tho Sabsse LIFE which Flows From the
Man Filled with Gods Spirit.

Tho Sabsse Life which Flows From the
Man Filled with Gods Spirit.
Any one who carefully notes the
comparative value of lives in a COM
munity, will soon learn that the ele-
ment which counts for the most is that
subtle thing which we call personal in
fluence. One may give much money
to religious and charitable objects; an
other may be an eloquent talker, and
his voice may often be heard at public
meetings; another may be enterprising,
foremost in all progressive movements;
another may be scholarly, writer, an
author, an oracle on all questions of
learning; another may represent the
best things in art in taste. in
whatever is beautiful and re-
fined-yet not one of these
may impress himself on the COM
munity as does some quiet man, with
out either wealth or eloquence. or pub
lie spirit or scholarship, but who pos
sesses that mysterious, indescribable
power-a benefcent personal influ-
ence. There is something in him more
subtle than money or speech, or activ-
ity, or beauty-a spiritual force, which
flows out from his life, and touches all
other lives, and strangely affects them.
It is to him what fragrance is to
flower, what light is to a lamp; it is
part of himself, and yet it reaches out
side and beyond himself.
1t is, so to speak, the projection Of
the mans own character, the flowing
out of his own life into other lives; it
is the energy of the mans spirit work
ing, as it were, beyond his body,
and working without hands. In
the good man, it is goodness
goodness dwelling in his soul, and
pouring out like light from the win
dows of cottage on a dark night. In
the Christian, there is more than mere
human goodness; Gods Spirit dwells
in him. Every true Christian is in a
sense a new incarnation. Paul said:
"Christ liveth in me;" and he prayed
for others that they might "be filled
with all the fulness of God" The lamp
that burns in Christians heart is the
flame of the Divine Spirit, and the per-
sonal influence of Christian becomes
spiritual power.
Every good life is constantly scatter
ing these unconscious, unpurposed in
fuences. A mother works hard
all day in her home, keeping her
house in order, preparing comforts
for her family, watching over he
children. She can tell in the evening
just how many garments she has mend
ed, how many rooms she has swept,
and the entire days history; but all
day long she was patient, gentle, kind.
At every turn she had a bright smile
for her children; she had cheering
words and fond attentions for her hus-
band; she had a pleasant welcome for
the friends who called; in all these
things she was unconsciously scattering
seeds that will spring up in sweet
flowers in other hearts and lives. Who
doubts which Of these two ministries il
in reality the richer and the more CT
fectivep Yet the tired woman does moi
think of counting the wayside influ'
ences and services at all in her retro
spect of the days work. If she could
do SO, it would greatly cheer her, and
strengthen her for a new days life
when it begins.
We do not realize the Importance o.
this unconscious part of our life-minis
try. In every greeting we give to an
other on the street. in every moment
conversation, in every letter we write
in every contact with other lives, ther,
is subtle influence that goes from u
that often reaches farther, and leaves
deeper impression. than the things them
selves that we are doing at the time
! After all, it is life itself. sanctified life
that is Gods holiest and most effectiv'
ministry in this world-pure. sweet
patient earnest, unselfish, loving life
| It is not so much what we do in thi
world as what we are. that tells il
spiritual results and impression. 4
good life is like flower. which, thougl
it neither toll nor spin. yet ever pour
out a rich perfume. and thus perform
holy ministry.-Dr. j. r. Miller. Il
| QiIesaf Ts,,ss